Paddington Celebrates 50th Birthday
at the Dorset Teddy Bear Museum

Bears never grow old, they just collect birthdays and Paddington, Britain’s favourite bear collects his 50th birthday on Wednesday 25th June! Staff at the Dorset Teddy Bear Museum in Dorchester will be holding a special birthday party with some of the Museum’s other resident bears that day with special marmalade sandwiches, Paddington’s favourite! Rupert Bear and Pooh Bear are particularly looking forward to the party having celebrated their 50th birthday many years ago.

Paddington, the duffel coated, marmalade loving bear was born from the imagination of Michael Bond in a novel published in 1958. Since then, Paddington has become a firm favourite. Over 35 million copies of Paddington books have been sold world wide in more than 40 languages.

To celebrate the occasion The Teddy Bear Museum is running a month long drawing and colouring competition for children. Children who visit the Museum in Dorchester during this time will be able to enter the competition for a chance of wining a Paddington Bear by Rainbow Designs based on the original vintage design for Paddington Bear.

The Museum will also be marking Paddington’s birthday by hosting a special Paddington Bear birthday display. Until July 9th children who bring their own Paddington Bear to the Museum will be able to have free entry.

Jackie Ridley, the curator of the Teddy Bear Museum said the Museum is linking the celebration of Paddington’s Birthday by contributing to the charity Action Medical Research - Touching Tiny Lives Campaign to help sick and vulnerable babies.

Jackie said “In addition to giving free entrance to children who bring their Paddington Bear with them from June 25th to July 9th the Museum will donate £1 to Action Medical Research for every child who visits the Museum during this period. Michael Bond, the author of Paddington Bear has been supporting the Charity for over 30 years and we are really happy we can join in and help a little bit”.

The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum is on the corner of High East Street and Salisbury Street in Dorchester. It is open every day from 10am to 5pm.

Visitor enquiries: 01305 263200.

For press enquiries, further information or digital images, please contact: